MU Provost Foster retiring as of next January

COLUMBIA (AP) — The provost at the University of Missouri-Columbia is retiring at the start of next year.

The university announced Wednesday that Provost Brian Foster will retire Jan. 1 after serving in the position for more than eight years.

The university says Foster was instrumental in developing the Mizzou Advantage initiative, which promotes collaboration among staff and students in different programs to address “real-world needs and problems.” The university’s efforts currently are focused on four areas — food, health, energy and the media.

Before taking the provost job in Columbia in 2005, Foster served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at the University of New Mexico.

Deputy Provost Ken Dean will serve as interim provost until a permanent replacement is chosen.